Multiple filling machine



2,037,691 Apnl 21, 1936. H R. BALDWIN MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 19:55 s sheets-sheet 1 Q I lr wvl-hl IIT??- I Il'n .L|

3mm/1450@ l April 2l, 1936. H. R. BALDWIN y MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE I Filed Aug. ll, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ami]v 21, 1936.

H. R. BALDWIN MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. ll, 19,33

ATTORNEY.

Patented pr. 21:, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE tion of Illinois Application August 11, 1933, Serial No.'684,687

6 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in filling machines or like devices.

My invention relates more particularly to machines of this type for lling individual tubular containers with a liquid or a plastic material.

The invention further relates to devices of this general type capable of filling a plurality of individual containers in one operation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of handling plastic or semi-liquid and liquid material, and filling individual containers with the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for carrying out the above method.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of the type described capable of being-manually operated and capable of filling a plurality of individual containers in a single operation.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of the type described that is extremely simple in construction, that will not readily become out of order, and will operate in ka simple and efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means associated therewith `for increasing or decreasing the amount of material to be deposited in the individual containers.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the type described capable of continuous and uninterrupted operation.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description, wherein reference is had to the accompanying three sheets of drawings; upon which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my improved mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, looking from the right of Fig. 1, and showing the hand-operated machine in a starting position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, showing some of the parts broken away in section, to more clearly show other parts, .and showing the machine in an advanced stage of operation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, showing the manifold and filling nozzles, with a portion thereof broken in section to more clearly show other parts ;v

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, showing the slip connection construction of the valve operating means taken generally on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

-- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the piston rod support and guide, and is taken generally on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing the raised position of the container carriage, and the manner in which the nozzles are telescoped into the individual containers;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the same parts, showing a changed position thereof; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the container carriage showing 1,0 how the containers are advanced to filling position.

Referring to the drawings, the machine may comprise generally a base I0, having a table portion 8, supported a desired distance from the 1-5 floor by a plurality of supporting legs I2 formed at their lower ends with suitable pad members I 4. An intermediate brace I6 may be provided to give the frame work the desired rigidity. The

' reservoir I8 of the mechanism may be support- 20 ed at a desired height upon a suitable standard 20 positioned on the base I0. The reservoir I8 may be funnel-shaped, as shown,`and be provided at its lower end with a flanged collar member 22, which is secured to a casing 24. The 25 casing 24 may be formed with a cylindrical chamber in which a rotary valve member 26 is positioned. The casing may be provided with openings 28 and 30 at right angles to each other, which may communicate with the reservoir and 30 with a charging cylinder 32, respectively. The cylinder 32 may be secured to the casing 34 by the collar member 35, or in any other suitable or desirable manner.

A third opening 36-may be formed in the cas- 35y ing 24 and communicate with a manifold 38 secured to the lower side of the casing. The manifold 38 may have a plurality of nozzle members 40 secured thereto. Each of said nozzle members may comprise a screw-threaded member 42 40 secured in a suitable tapped opening 44 in the lower wall of the manifold 38, and a tubular spout member 46 fastened to the lower end of the screw-threaded member 42.

Each of the spouts 46 may have a pointed nozzle 45 portion 48 for a purpose which will belater described. A hand valve 50 may be positioned across the bore 52 of each of the members 42, and so arranged that, by a. definite rotation thereon, a passageway .of a desired size will be created 50 therethrough. The rotary valve 26 may bereciprocated or swung through an arc of approximately 'by means of the lever connections 54, 56 and 58, which are connected to a. linkfLGU between the lever 58 and a sliding memberZ. 55

The member 62 is mounted in a guide 64 connected at its lower end to the operating handle 66, by means of the pivot member 68.

A piston 68 may be provided in the charging cylinder 32 and have extending therefrom a rod 10 provided with a collar 12 mounted at any desirable position thereon. The collar 12 may be provided with a suitable roller 14 to co-operate with the forked end of a bell crank lever 16 that is pivotally mounted at 11 on the standard 20. A link 18 may be connected to one end of the bell crank lever 16 and at its other end to a lever 19 having a loose connection with the operating handle 66.

From the above construction, it can be seen that a to and fro movement of the operating handle 66 will operate the piston 68 back and forth in the changing cylinder 32. A guide member may be provided for the piston rod 10 and be in the form of a split bracket having a swinging portion 82, so that the same can be easily secured in place. A bolt member 83 pivotally secured to the guide 80 may be provided with a wing nut 84 and secures the split portions of the guide in a closed portion when desired. The guide may be fastened by means of a bolt and nut connection to an arm .of the standard 20 to support the same. The guide 80 may also form a limit stop member for the movement of the piston 68 in the charging cylinder and, for this purpose, the same may be moved back and forth as desired on the standard 20.

Means for supporting the individual containers in a desired receiving position below the nozzles 40 is provided and may comprise the carriage 90 which, in normal position, rests upon the top of table |0. The carriage may comprise a pair of longitudinal guide strips 9| and 92 supported in spaced relation by a plurality of uprights 93. A pair of guide rods 94 are provided, extending through suitable openings in the table top I0, and a central rod 95 also serves to guide the carriage upwardly and downwardly. The means for moving the carriage upwardly and downwardly as described may comprise a lever 96 fulcrumed at 91 upon a bracket 98 secured to the lower side of the table top 0. The lever may be formed with a cam shaped nose 99, which bears against a cap |00 fastened on the guide rods 94. The outer end of lever 96 is provided with a roller |0| adapted to engage a peripheral cam |02 fixedly mounted upon a shaft |03 rotatably positioned in a bracket |04 extending downwardly from the Y tablev top l0.

Operating arm 66 carries a stub shaft 66a at its outer end which engages in an elongated socket 66h formed in the end of lever 19. The lever 19 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 19a mounted in the supporting bracket 98.

Means for rotating the shaft |03 may comprise a. gear |05 mounted thereon, and a lever 06a having a fragmentary gear portion |06 at one end thereof which engages said gear. The lever |06a' is flxedly mounted on shaft 19a and rotates therewith.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which the containers C are positioned in the carriage 90. In the specific embodiment shown, the containers may be formed of paper and be generally similar to the cigar containers commonly shown on the market. The containers C of this type are joined together at their edges but are provided with a serrated line C' along which the same may be easily torn apart. In order to advance the containers to a desired position below the nozzles 40,

I provide a gauge slot |20 in the lower guide strip 9|. This guide slot extends to a point adjacent the edge of the first container in line when the containers are in a receiving position and extends backward to a point adjacent the right side of a fifth container in line. Thus when a filling operation has been completed and the five containers C in line below the nozzles 40 have been filled, the same can be moved forward and live empty containers will be brought into line below the nozzles 40 by inserting a needle or other sharp instrument at the serration line C' between the first two empty containers in line and then moving the containers forward to the proper filling position.

The Ioperation of the device will now be described. Assuming that a plurality of individual containers, such as the containers C shown in Figs. 7 and 8, have been placed in the carriage in an upright position, and assuming further that a quantity of plastic or semi-liquid material, such as ice cream, has been placed in the reservoir I8: A downward movement of the operating handle 66 will operate through levers 58, 56 and 54 to turn the rotary valve 26 to the position shown in Fig. 3, and a continued downward movement will withdraw the piston 68 to the position shown, thereby sucking a charge of the material from the reservoir I8 through the passageway 25 of the valve 26, and into the charging chamber 32. By reason of the slip connection |09 shown in conjunction with the lever 62 and guide 64, the guide 64 will be drawn downwardly after the valve has been opened, and the plunger I0 will be forced out of the socket |2 and engage in the socket ||3 adjacent the lower end of the lever 62.

During the movement of the handle 66, as shown, the mutilated gear |06 will revolve the shaft |03 upon which the cam |02 is located, and, through lever 96 and rods 94, move the container carriage 90 to the position shown in Fig. 3.

At this point, it can be seen that half of the filling cycle has been completed. In other words, the valve has been opened to allow material to be sucked into the charging chamber 32, the piston has been withdrawn to fill the chamber, and the individual containers have been moved to a filling position with relation to the nozzles 40.

Further operation will now be described. An upward movement of the operating handle 66 will cause the rotary valve 26 to be revolved clockwise 90 to provide a communication between the charging cylinder 32 and the manifold 38 and, after this initial movement, further upward movement of the handle 66 will cause the plunger l|0 to be released from the socket ||3, and slide along the lever 62 until it reaches the socket |2. This continued movement of the' filling handle 66 will operate, through lever 18 and bell crank lever 16, to force the piston 68 inwardly, thereby discharging material in the cylinder into the manifold and down through the filling nozzles 40. The carriage 90 supporting the containers C is gradually moved downwardly as the filling action occurs, thus allowing the nozzles at the initial stage of filling to be telescoped into the containers to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, and, as material is discharged into the containers, they are gradually withdrawn from the nozzles, providing an effective lling action for tubular containers of the type described. This action is accomplished due to the fact that the cam |02 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction; and, thus, moving the cam member 99 downwardly and allowing the carriage to move downwardly by gravity.

From the above description it is believed to be clear that a complete filling operation is accomplished by a single back and forth movement of the operating handle. It is, of course, obvious that this filling action may be made continuous by placing a row of containers C in the carriage 90 and moving them forward into line below the nozzles after the end of each filling cycle.

It is believed to be further obvious that, while I have shown a hand-operated mechanism, it can be easily connected up with power means for operating lever 66 and the associated parts.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it is, of course, understood that changes and modications may be made in the specific details shown, and I do not desire to limit myself in any particular way; rather, what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a funnel-shaped reservoir for a liquid or a semiliquid material, a charging cylinder connected to the lower end thereof, a manifold associated with said cylinder, a double acting valve for providing access from said reservoir to said cylinder, and when moved to a second position from said cylinder to said manifold, a plurality of discharge nozzles connected to said manifold, a carriage for supporting a plurality of individual containers below said nozzles, and hand-operated means for charging said cylinder, operating said valve, and moving said containers into a receiving position below said nozzles by a single operation thereof, said means including a valve operating lever having a slip connection with said hand operated means and so timed that the valve is operated before and after a charging operation.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a funnel-shaped reservoir for a liquid or a semiliquid material, a charging cylinder connected to the lower end thereof, a manifold associated with said cylinder, a double acting valve for providing access in one position from said reservoir to said cylinder, and when moved to a second position from said cylinder to said manifold, a plurality of discharge nozzles connected to said manifold, a valve associated with each nozzle, a carriage for supporting a plurality of individual containers below said nozzles, and means including a hand lever, a valve operating lever having a slip connection therewith for charging said cylinder operating said double acting valve, and moving said containers into a receiving position below said nozzles by a single operation thereof, said means so timed that a back and forth operation of the hand lever will operate the other elements consecutively to complete a filling operation.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir, a casing at the lower end thereof, a rotary valve element positioned in said casing, a charging cylinder connected thereto, a piston therein, a manifold secured to the lower end of said casing, discharge spouts extending therefrom, a supporting carriage positioned below said discharge nozzles and adapted to have a plurality of individual containers positioned thereon, and hand operated means including a lever, a second lever connected to said rotary valve, a slip connection between said lever and said second lever for rotating said valve, to provide a communication between said reservoir and said cylinder, op-

erate said piston to draw a charge of material into said cylinder, rotate said valve to establish a communication between said cylinder and said manifold, operate said piston to discharge the material in said cylinder into said manifold, and move said container carriage into a receiving position in relation to said nozzles consecutively by a single operation of said hand-operated means. l

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a base, a reservoir mounted thereon, a casing at the lower end thereof, a rotary valve element in said casing, a'cylinder connected thereto, a piston therein, a manifold secured to the lower end of said casing, discharge spouts extending therefrom, a supporting carriage positioned below said discharge nozzles and adapted to have a plurality of individual containers positioned thereon, and hand-operated means including a lever a second lever connected to said rotary valve, a slip connection between said lever and said second lever for rotating said valve to provide a communication betwleen said reservoir and said cylinder, operate said piston to draw a charge of material into said cylinder, rotate said valve to establish a communication between said cylinder and said manifold, operate said piston to discharge the material in said cylinder into said manifold, and move said container carriage into a telescopic receiving position in relation to said nozzles.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a funnel-shaped reservoir for a liquid or a semiliquid material, a charging cylinder connected to the lower end thereof?, a manifold associated with said cylinder, a double acting valve for providing access from said reservoir to said cylinder, and when moved to a second position from said cylinder to said manifold, a plurality of discharge nozzles connected to said manifold, a carriage for supporting a plurality of individual containers below said nozzles, hand-operated means for charging said cylinder and operating said valve,

by a single operation thereof, said means includ" ing a valve operating lever having a slip connection with said hand operated means and so timed that the valve is operated before and after a charging operation, and means connected with said hand operated means for raising said carriage for a filling operation and lowering same thereafter.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a funnel-shaped reservoir for a liquid or a semiliquid material, a charging cylinder connected to the lower end thereof, a manifold associated with said cylinder, a do-uble acting valve for providing access from said reservoir to said cylinder, and when moved to a second position from said cylinder to said manifold, a plurality of discharge nozzles connected to said manifold, a carriage for supporting a plurality of individual containers below said nozzles, said carriage capable of vertical reciprocation during a filling operation, and hand operated means for charging said cylinder, operating said valve, and reciprocating said carriage to move said containers into a receiving position below said nozzles by a single operation thereof, said means including a valve operating lever having a slip connection with said hand operated means and so timed that the valve is operated before and after a charging operation.

HAROLD R. BALDWIN, 

